Configuration device for a system with machine tool and vacuum cleaner

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Solution Overview

Problem

Configuring the control link between a machine tool and a vacuum cleaner in a system with wireless control is convenient but difficult to set up, particularly due to differences in communication standards between the electrical device and the vacuum cleaner.

Innovation Solution

A configuration device that uses a second communication standard, such as NFC or RFID, to wirelessly transmit communication parameters for setting the first communication interfaces, allowing for easier configuration and enhanced security through limited range communication.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If wireless control connection is established between machine tool and vacuum cleaner using first communication standard, then convenience of operation is improved, but configuration difficulty increases due to communication standard differences

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveconvenience of wireless controlVSAvoidconfiguration complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a configuration device as an intermediary component that mediates between the machine tool and vacuum cleaner during the configuration phase. This device includes a communication interface according to a second communication standard that can transmit communication parameters to establish the first communication standard connection, thereby simplifying the configuration process while maintaining wireless control convenience

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The configuration device performs preliminary actions by pre-establishing communication parameters and settings before the actual wireless control operation. By configuring the communication interfaces in advance using the second communication standard, the system prepares all necessary parameters (such as addresses, encryption keys, and protocol settings) so that the subsequent wireless control can proceed without configuration complexity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Ease of operation

If communication parameters are transmitted wirelessly over long distances, then ease of configuration is improved, but data security deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of configurationVSAvoiddata security
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The configuration device acts as a secure intermediary that handles the transmission of communication parameters. It uses a second communication standard (such as NFC or RFID) that inherently provides short-range communication, thereby maintaining data security while still enabling easy configuration through wireless parameter transmission

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes the communication parameter (communication standard) based on the transmission distance requirement. For short-range secure parameter transmission, it uses the second communication standard with limited range, while for normal operation, it switches to the first communication standard that supports longer distances, thus optimizing both security and convenience

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentEP3625782B1Configuration device for a system with machine tool and vacuum cleaner
Publication Date: 2021.08.11 FESTOOL GMBH
  • EP3625782B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3625782B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3
  • EP3625782B1 patent drawingFigure 4~15

AI summary

The invention relates to a configuration apparatus (500) for a system (10) comprising an electrical appliance in the form of a machine tool (20) or an energy storage module (40) for electrical power supply to the machine tool (20) and also comprising a vacuum cleaner (70, 870) for vacuuming away dust which is produced by the machine tool (20), wherein the vacuum cleaner (70, 870) can be actuated, in particular to switch on and/or to switch off the suction assembly (75), by the electrical appliance via a wireless control connection (S1, S2), wherein the machine tool (20) has a drive motor (22) for driving a tool holder (23) on which a tool (38), which is provided for processing a workpiece (W), is arranged or can be arranged, wherein the vacuum cleaner (70, 870) has a vacuum cleaner housing (71; 871) comprising a dirt collection compartment for receiving dirt which has been separated off from a suction stream (S) and also has a suction assembly (75) for generating the suction stream (S), wherein a suction inlet (72) for connection of a suction hose (15) for establishing a flow connection for the suction stream (S) with the machine tool (20) is provided on the vacuum cleaner housing (71; 871), wherein the vacuum cleaner (70, 870) and the electrical appliance have first communication interfaces (60) according to a first communication standard for communication via the wireless control connection (S1, S2). The configuration apparatus (500) has a communication interface according to a second communication standard which is different from the first communication standard and is provided for wirelessly transmitting at least one communication parameter for setting at least one of the first communication interfaces (60) of the first communication standard.